NEWLY acquired Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok player Calvin Abueva has been reminded by the local professional sports regulatory body that he is still on probation and must comply with the conditions set forth.
In a message to members of media on Tuesday, Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Baham Mitra shared that they have reached out to Mr. Abueva, through Magnolia team manager Alvin Patrimonio, on his obligations under the probationary setup given to him despite having transferred to a new Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) team.
The reminder came after Mr. Abueva, the GAB said, missed some of his mandatory monitoring sessions in the last two months to attend to pressing family matters.
“Calvin is still under the six-month probation period. Even if he has transferred to a different team, as a professional athlete licensed by GAB, he still needs to honor what has been agreed upon and his commitment to the Board, which was the basis of the reinstatement. He is a professional athlete and the youth look up to him. We expect him to set an example to the younger generation,” said Mr. Mitra.
Mr. Abueva was reinstated in the PBA in October after being suspended by the league for 16 months for conduct unbecoming of a professional and actions detrimental to the association.
No sooner after his league suspension, GAB revoked Mr. Abueva’s professional license pending fulfilment of requirements for reinstatement.
The player worked hard to get his act together and eventually got his license back and was allowed by the PBA to join his former team Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters midway into the “bubble” tournament in October.
In his return, Mr. Abueva was still his all-around self, averaging 15.4 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.7 steals, helping the Fuel Masters to come within a win away from advancing to their first-ever PBA finals appearance.
He was in the running for best player of the conference and held his emotions in check throughout the tournament, even earning consideration for the sportsmanship award.
Phoenix repaid his efforts by re-signing him to a three-year contract in December.
But last week, in a surprise move, Phoenix traded the seven-time All-Star to Magnolia in exchange for guard Chris Banchero and two picks in this year’s rookie draft.
In trading him, Phoenix said it was not an easy decision to make, considering what he brings to the team but something it had to do for it felt there were other teams that could better handle his persona on and off the court moving forward.
It went on to say that it considered the offer and felt it would be a win-win deal for all concerned with them getting value in return, apart from pursuing the direction it wants to take, and Magnolia acquiring a player like Mr. Abueva and the latter going to a good team.
Now with Magnolia, Mr. Mitra reiterated the need for Mr. Abueva to comply with the terms of his probation, which was signed with his former team Phoenix and now assumed by Magnolia.
These also include the Hotshots providing the necessary support that Mr. Abueva needs to cope with the demands warranted by his professional practice as an athlete.
GAB will reevaluate Mr. Abueva after completing his six months probation. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
